Louisiana, a state in the southern part of the United States, is a place full of cultural, historical, and natural treasures. With its famous cities such as New Orleans and Baton Rouge, its pristine natural areas and its rich musical tradition, Louisiana is a unique destination. Facts and figures: Louisiana has an area of about 135,659 square kilometers and a population of around 4.6 million people. Most of Louisiana is made up of swampy landscapes, including the world-famous Mississippi Delta and the Atchafalaya Swamps. The capital of Louisiana is Baton Rouge, but the most famous city is undoubtedly New Orleans. Louisiana was ruled by the Spanish, French, and Americans, so it has a rich and diverse history and culture. Louisiana residents often speak a unique dialect based on a mix of French, Spanish, and English, known as "Creole." Known for its unique blend of Creole and Cajunian influences, Louisiana cuisine includes dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, and po' boys. Louisiana is famous for its musical traditions, especially jazz, blues, zydeco, and Cajun. Louisiana is a place full of history, music, and culinary delights. The many cultural influences that have come together here over the centuries have created a unique culture and identity that attracts visitors from all over the world. Louisiana's landscape is just as impressive as its culture. The vast swamps and rivers that crisscross the state are home to an incredible variety of animal and plant species, including alligators, pelicans, heron, and many others. The Atchafalaya Basin, the largest wetland in the U.S., is a popular destination for nature lovers and provides a stunning backdrop for boating, fishing, and bird watching. Louisiana is also known for its many festivals and celebrations. Mardi Gras, the annual carnival festival in New Orleans, is world-famous and attracts millions of visitors every year. But there are also many other events throughout the state, including the French Quarter Festival, the Jazz and Heritage Festival, and the Zydeco Festival. In summary, Louisiana is a unique destination with a fascinating culture, rich history, pristine natural areas, and delicious cuisine. Whether you want to immerse yourself in the swamps, visit historic sites, or just enjoy the music and food, Louisiana has something for everyone.

Reproduction of the original: Strange True Stories of Louisiana by George W. Cable

Concerns Robert La Salle's explorations in North America.

The bestselling author of Blue Latitudes takes us on a thrilling and eye-opening voyage to pre-Mayflower America On a chance visit to Plymouth Rock, Tony Horwitz realizes he's mislaid more than a century of American history, from Columbus's sail in 1492 to Jamestown's founding in 16-oh-something. Did nothing happen in between? Determined to find out, he embarks on a journey of rediscovery, following in the footsteps of the many Europeans who preceded the Pilgrims to America. An irresistible blend of history, myth, and misadventure, A Voyage Long and Strange captures the wonder and drama of first contact. Vikings, conquistadors, French voyageurs—these and many others roamed an unknown continent in quest of grapes, gold, converts, even a cure for syphilis. Though most failed, their remarkable exploits left an enduring mark on the land and people encountered by late-arriving English settlers. Tracing this legacy with his own epic trek—from Florida's Fountain of Youth to Plymouth's sacred Rock, from desert pueblos to subarctic sweat lodges—Tony Horwitz explores the revealing gap between what we enshrine and what we forget. Displaying his trademark talent for humor, narrative, and historical insight, A Voyage Long and Strange allows us to rediscover the New World for ourselves.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar By Maurice Leblanc Maurice Leblanc, a contemporary of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, created the character of Arsène Lupin, who in French-speaking countries rivaled the popularity of Sherlock Holmes. Arsène Lupin is a confidence man and thief who steals only from the rich. In this collection of short stories we are first introduced to Lupin in the following nine stories: "The Arrest of Arsène Lupin," "Arsène Lupin in Prison," "The Escape of Arsène Lupin," "The Mysterious Traveller," "The Queen's Necklace," "The Seven of Hearts," "Madame Imbert's Safe," "The Black Pearl," and "Sherlock Holmes Arrives Too Late."

A page-turning novel that is also an exploration of the great philosophical concepts of Western thought, Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World has fired the imagination of readers all over the world, with more than twenty million copies in print. One day fourteen-year-old Sophie Amundsen comes home from school to find in her mailbox two notes, with one question on each: "Who are you?" and "Where does the world come from?" From that irresistible beginning, Sophie becomes obsessed with questions that take her far beyond what she knows of her Norwegian village. Through those letters, she enrolls in a kind of correspondence course, covering Socrates to Sartre, with a mysterious philosopher, while receiving letters addressed to another girl. Who is Hilde? And why does her mail keep turning up? To unravel this riddle, Sophie must use the philosophy she is learning—but the truth turns out to be far more complicated than she could have imagined.